While Joseon was tearing out Ming’s last breath, Mochijo and Norihiro were having a conversation in Yamaguchi, Suo Province.
***
Yamaguchi was the new center of power chosen by the Ouchi Shogunate, also known as the Suo Shogunate or Boshu Shogunate, established when Ouchi seized power in Japan.
The castle where Ouchi Mochijo, head of the Ouchi clan and leader of the shogunate, resided was nicknamed the Joseon Castle.
It was built based on a Joseon-style castle design by Hyang.
At its center stood a massive five-story tenshu-kaku[1] not counting the foundation. Due to the characteristics of this tenshu and other buildings, it was a hybrid castle that intricately blended Joseon and Japanese features.
And visible from the top of this tenshu was the Emperor’s new palace.
This was the result of Mochijo accepting the civil officials’ advice.
Even though the Emperor was a figurehead without real power, keeping him under control was necessary to maintain the legitimacy of their regime.
However, abandoning their base in western Honshu and northern Kyushu to settle in Kyoto would be like abandoning their roots.
Therefore, the civil officials proposed keeping the Emperor within Ouchi’s sphere of influence, and Mochijo accepted this.
Of course, this sparked tremendous opposition from Kyoto’s residents. The people of Kyoto, who had strong pride in their city as the Emperor’s residence and Japan’s capital since ancient times, showed fierce resistance.
“Due to the severe damage Kyoto suffered in the recent war, we will temporarily relocate while repairs are undertaken.”
Ouchi had to resort to this subterfuge of moving the Emperor and court from Kyoto to Yamaguchi, using the excuse of the devastation caused by looting and arson during the final stages of the civil war.
This led to a momentous shift of Japan’s power and cultural center from east to west.
As a side note, this “Imperial Palace Exodus” incident gave birth to the deep-rooted regional sentiment between eastern and western Japan.
***
“So, did you learn much from this expedition?”
At Mochijo’s question, Norihiro bowed his head and answered.
“Yes, I learned a great deal.”
“Let’s hear what you learned.”
“First, I learned that soldiers and warriors are different.”
“Oh?”
Norihiro explained to Mochijo the differences between soldiers and warriors.
Observing the Joseon navy during this expedition had given Norihiro a kind of culture shock.
Even the lowest-ranking soldiers carried out orders precisely and strictly followed military discipline. However, the warriors sent by Japan’s lords were literally just bands of thieves.
“I realized we must teach more than just fighting skills. Only then can we create a truly elite army.”
“I see. What else?”
“I learned the importance of territory.”
“The importance of territory?”
“To be precise, the importance of sovereign territory. I had a chance to speak with Joseon’s Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang, and received truly profound wisdom.”
“Profound wisdom?”
“Yes.”
Norihiro relayed what the Naval Commander had told him.
“If you’re going to take something, why not take something that can bring lasting prosperity?”
“Among many things, isn’t land the most representative?”
After sharing the Naval Commander’s words, Norihiro continued.
“Plundering wealth only brings prosperity for a few years. Acquiring people can bring prosperity for a hundred years. But acquiring territory can bring prosperity for at least a thousand years.”
“Prosperity for a thousand years…”
Mochijo pondered Norihiro’s words with a serious expression. Seeing Mochijo’s expression, Norihiro continued with conviction.
“Our clan’s aspiration is to become the master of all under heaven. Though we’ve established the shogunate, we’re still lacking to truly call ourselves masters of all under heaven. There are still lords who call themselves sovereigns. We must abolish the large and small feudal states that have torn apart the realm and unite them into one true realm under heaven.”
“That’s true.”
With Mochijo’s agreement, Norihiro’s voice grew more passionate.
“After unifying into one realm, we must acquire even more territory. ‘Leave behind being Japanese and enter the way of Joseon’ is our clan’s family precept. I witnessed Joseon’s actions this time. By acquiring the vast Liaodong and Liaoxiang regions, Joseon will grow even more prosperous. We must do the same! We must complete true unification and nurture talent to expand our territory!”
“It will take a long time.”
“Look at Joseon’s case! Do you think they accomplished such a feat with just one or two years of preparation? They must have prepared for decades! Then we should move forward expecting it to take a hundred years! Through a hundred years of preparation, our clan will enjoy a thousand years of glory!”
“A hundred years of preparation, a thousand years of glory…”
After contemplating Norihiro’s words, Mochijo nodded firmly.
“Let’s do it!”
Following this decision, the shogunate began secretly planning and moving.
Their first plan was the ‘Abolition of Domains and Establishment of Prefectures’. The most critical prerequisite for this plan’s success was reducing the power of rebellious domains, and the shogunate held the perfect card for this.
It was the troops from domains that had advanced into Ming.
Over time, the number of Japanese in Ming territory had grown significantly.
“Withdraw as quickly as possible. You will be considered pirates immediately after negotiations with Ming conclude.”
Upon receiving Joseon’s message, the shogunate immediately transmitted withdrawal orders to all lords. They employed a subtle trick here – sending strong recommendations to domains loyal to the shogunate, while only sending perfunctory notifications to rebellious domains.
Most domains that kept their distance from the shogunate casually ignored the shogunate’s orders, as they were still profiting handsomely in Ming.
“We have Joseon anyway! We can just ask the Joseon navy!”
“Even if we take a loss in profit sharing, we won’t listen to the shogunate!”
Though laughable coming from those who had followed the shogunate’s orders when initially deploying to Ming, they now refused the shogunate’s commands.
Consequently, those who refused the shogunate’s orders were branded as pirates and eliminated by both Joseon and the shogunate.
As a result, the power of rebellious domains was greatly diminished, and the shogunate began steadily pressuring them.
***
Though the war ended with thoroughly plundering Ming, the war for Joseon’s court officials wasn’t over.
“The work just won’t decrease!”
“Save us!”
“I’d rather become a wooden guardian post at the Office of Records!”
Court officials wailed as they faced a flood of reports coming in not by volumes but by cartloads.
“The war is over, so why isn’t the work decreasing?!”
“That’s what I’m saying!”
Officials overwhelmed by the incoming work literally ground down all available personnel in processing it.
“Requesting leave? In this situation?”
A supervisor glared at the leave applicant as if ready to eat him alive. The person in question blushed and stammered.
“I apologize, but I’m getting married…”
“You were still unmarried?”
“Between my long studies and modest means…”
“Tsk, tsk!”
The supervisor clicked his tongue and stamped the application.
“Denied!”
“What? Why?”
“Even the Crown Prince’s bride selection is suspended due to the war, yet you want to hold a wedding? What kind of official are you?”
“But… but…”
“Besides, don’t you see all that backlogged work? We haven’t even been able to see the street outside, let alone leave work on time for days, and you want to take a comfortable break for your wedding?”
“But… but…”
“Since it’s already delayed, push it back a few more months. Surely your bride won’t run away?”
“Yes…”
Seeing the dejected bachelor’s face, the supervisor offered a carrot.
“In exchange, I’ll give you an extra-long leave then. With a bonus too.”
“…I understand.”
Even female officials couldn’t escape this situation.
“What are these documents?”
“Work I’d like you to look over.”
“But I’m on maternity leave? I’m due soon…”
“That’s why I picked documents that don’t require field inspections or additional materials. You can process them while recovering.”
“Huh? What?”
“Have a safe delivery! Just send the documents back when you’re done.”
“What? What? What? Sir! Sir!”
The official who had already disappeared beyond the door gave no response to her calls.
“Hey, you bastard! Have you ever given birth? Huh!”
Only frustrated outbursts remained.
***
Even for Joseon’s seasoned officials, the current situation was the worst.
Basic matters included follow-up measures related to resources and wealth consumed during the war, and dealing with soldiers who had died or become disabled.
There were issues concerning the establishment of administrative districts in Liaodong and Liaoxiang which had become Joseon territory, personnel selection for administrative officials to be dispatched to these newly established districts, and various matters related to educational institutions to be established in the newly incorporated regions.
Administrative work that needed to be processed across all of Joseon’s administrative organs had suddenly exploded.
Another heavy burden was added to these officials already crushed by the explosive increase in work.
It was the ‘Proclamation of Emperor and Establishment of Era Name’.
Not only did they have to determine the new national title and era name for Joseon’s transformation into an empire, but they also had to prepare the Heaven Opening ceremony to announce this to heaven.
“The ceremony would be mostly done once we properly build the Circular Mound Altar, and the national title and era name can only be decided after His Majesty returns, so why are they pestering even those of us unrelated to these matters… sigh“
As an official overwhelmed with work complained with a sigh, a colleague beside him responded.
“That’s precisely the biggest problem.”
“Huh? What is? Building the Circular Mound Altar?”
“No, His Majesty’s return. Do you think it will end with His Majesty returning and becoming Emperor? Don’t you know His Majesty’s personality?”
“…”
The official thought for a moment before grimacing severely.
“Damn it!”
The Sejong they had experienced was a superior who never let even the smallest error slide.
***
In September of Sejong’s 30th year (1448, Year of the Earth Dragon), after Chuseok, when autumn colors were in full display, Sejong arrived at Wonsan Port.
All the ministers who came out to welcome Sejong, led by Hyang, immediately performed deep bows upon seeing him.
“We greet Your Majesty!”
After performing deep bows and cupping their hands, they welcomed Sejong’s return in unison.
“You have all worked very hard. You have achieved great things, and your merit is truly immense. I shall never forget your efforts.”
“Your grace is boundless!”
In this joyous atmosphere, cargo began being unloaded from Sejong’s ship and escort vessels.
“There’s a lot of baggage.”
At Hyang’s comment, Sejong replied with a warm smile.
“Ah, I had to make quite a few unilateral decisions in the new territory due to the war, so I brought them this time. Crown Prince, we need to properly discuss these matters again with the ministers and make proper decisions.”
Hearing Sejong’s words, Hyang muttered with a horrified expression.
“You call that ‘quite a few’?”